Multiple string tubing hanger constructions



Jan. 1, 1963 c. R. NEILQN 3,071,396

MULTIPLE STRING TUBING HANGER CONSTRUCTIONS Filed March 26, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 T E- .2- E

INVENTOR CLAUDE R. NEILON ATTORNEY 5 3, 71,396 Patented .lan. l, 1963 3,071,396 MULTELE STRENG TUBING HANGER (IONSTRUCTHONS Claude R. Neilon, Houston, Tex., assignor to Armco gtfiel Corporation, Middletown, Ohio, a corporation of Filed Mar. 26, 1959, Ser. No. 802,104 7 Qlaims. (Cl. 285-137) This invention relates to the art of multiple well completion and particularly to novel and improved multiple string tubing hanger constructions.

It frequently occurs that a well will traverse a plurality of formations each of which is to be produced and for this reason it has become common practice to employ in such wells at least two tubing strings each extending to and in communication with a different one of the formations. Thus, in a typical installation, a first, long tubing string may extendto a lower formation, being packed off above the lower formation by a packer and being in communication only with the portion of the Well below the packer, and a second, shorter tubing string may extend to and communicate with an upper formation, above the packer for the first tubing string. Such practice necessitates the hanging of both tubing strings by what is now termed a multiple string tubing hanger cooperating with one of the well head members, usually the tubing head. Particular difiiculties arise in designing truly satisfactory hanger means because the entire multiple string hanger construction must be disposed within the bore of the tubing head or other head member or members, so that the designer is faced with severe limitations as to size and shape.

Such multiple string tubing hangers have been constructed in various fashions. Thus, in accordance with one prior art proposal, a split hanger is employed, comprising, in the case of a dual string installation, a pair of hanger members of semi-cylindrical configuration, the hanger members being arranged with their flat faces in contact. While such a split hanger construction offers various advantages, it has the distinct disadvantage that, considering the hanger in its finally assembled condition within the tubing head or the like, the tubing stringers are threaded to the hanger members and, since the hanger members cannot be rotated relative to each other, the tubing strings cannot be rotated relative to each other. A further disadvantage arises with the split hangers because, once the hanger members have been landed in the tubing head or the like, vertical movement of the tubing strings is possible only if the hanger member or members are removed from the head.

It has also been proposed to provide a hanger construction wherein all of the tubing strings are supported by a single, generally cylindrical hanger member which completely fills the bore of the tubing head or the like. While some such constructions allow upward movement of the tubing string after the hanger member has been landed, such arrangements do not allow any of the tubing string supporting elements to be lowered past the hanger member.

Freedom of rotational and vertical movement of at least one of the tubing strings after the hanger member has been landed is of particular importance in two regards. First, rotation of one tubing string about its axis is of great help in avoiding fouling of the tubing strings in the well while the strings are being run in. Next, both rotation and vertical movement allows a packer-equipped tubing string to be hung in tension, or to be run down the well to install the packer, then disengaged from the packer and then re-engaged therewith.

' A general object of the present invention is to provide an improved hangerv construction for multiple well completion.

Another object is to provide a multiple tubing string hanger construction for multiple well completion.

A further object of the invention is to devise a multiple string tubing hanger so constructed that the supporting element for at least one of the tubing strings can be lowered past the hanger means after the hanger means has been landed in the tubing head or like head member.

Another object is to devise a multiple string tubing hanger wherein hanger means is temporarily attached to a tubing string, so that the hanger means can be landed in the tubing head or the like, and the tubing string can thereafter be freed from the hanger means for rotation and vertical movement in both directions.

A still further object is to provide a multiple string tubing hanger wherein the tubing strings are free to rotate after the hanger member and tubing strings have been installed.

Yet another object is to devise a multiple string tubing hanger comprising one primary hanger member adapted to be seated in a tubing head or the like, the construction being such that the hanger member can be attached to an element of the tubing string and landed in the tubing head by manipulating the tubing string, and the tubing string can then be detached from the hanger member, further lowered to place a packer or like downwell equipment, and again raised and supported on the hanger member.

In order that the manner in which these and other objects are attained in accordance with the invention can be understood in detail, reference is bad to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a dual string tubing hanger construction in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view, taken generally on line 22, FIG. 1, with one tubing string supporting element removed and with the other shown in top plan elevation;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 3-3, FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View taken on line 44,-. FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the device of FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 6 and 6a are diagrammatic illustrations illustrating the manner in which the tubing hanger construction of FIGS. 1-5 is employed.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the embodiment of the invention here illustrated comprises a cylindrical hanger member 1, a pair of identical cylindrical hanger couplings 2 and 3, employed as tubing string support elements, and a packing assembly 4. Hanger member 1 is of such size as to fit within the bore 5 of a tubing head or other head member 6. Bore 5 of head member 6 is interrupted by a transverse, annular, tapered shoulder 7 and hanger member 1 has its lower end suitably chamfered to provide a tapered, annular face to be brought into supporting engagement with shoulder 7.

To accommodate the tubing strings, hanger member 1 is provided with an axially extending passage 8 including two coupling-receiving portions 9 and 10, FIG. 2, separated by an enlarged central portion 11. The hanger member has a flat upper face 12 which is disposed horizontally when the bottom of the hanger is seated on shoulder 7.

Each of the couplings 2 and 3 includes an intermediate portion of larger outside diameter, indicated at 2 and 3, respectively, and a lower portion of smaller outside diameter, indicated at 2* and 3 respectively. The two portions 2 and 2 are joined by a downwardly and inwardly slanting shoulder 13. Similarly, the portions 3 and 3 are joined by a downwardly and inwardly slanting shoulder 14. Adjacent shoulder 13, a circular, shallow, outwardly opening, transversely extending groove is provided in portion 2 of coupling 2. An identical groove 16 is similarly provided in portion 3 of coupling 3. The other end portion 2 of coupling 2 is of smaller outer diameter than portion 2 and coupling 3 similarly has its other end portion 3 of smaller outer diameter than intermediate portion 3.

End portion 2 of coupling 2 is interiorly threaded, as seen at 17, for connection to the tubing string to be supported by the coupling. Portion 2 of coupling 2 is similarly threaded interiorly, as seen at 18, for connection to a handling joint. At its tip, portion 2 is provided with an interiorly disposed, inwardly tapering, frustoconical seat 19 to be engaged by a sealed coupling element to provide a flow passage from coupling 2 to the well head equipment to be mounted on head member 6. Portion 3 of coupling 3 is interiorly threaded, at 20, for connection to the tubing string to be supported by that coupling. Portion 3 of coupling 3 is interiorly threaded at 21 for connection to a handling joint. At its tip, portion 3 is provided with an inwardly tapering, frusto-conical seat 22 identical with the aforementioned seat 19 and for the same purpose.

Portion 9 of passage 8 in hanger member 1, adapted to receive portion 2 of coupling 2, has a part-cylinder wall extending for somewhat more than 180, the diameter of this wall being slightly larger than the outer diameter of coupling portion 2 At upper face 12, passage portion 9 terminates in a downwardly and inwardly slanting, circularly extending seat or shoulder 23 so disposed as to come into face-to-face contact with shoulder 13 of coupling 2 when portion 2 of the coupling is fully inserted in passage portion 9, as seen at FIG. 1.

Passage portion 9 communicates with the enlarged central or intermediate passage portion 11 via an opening defined by vertical edges 24, 25, FIG. 2. At top face 12 of the hanger memben passage portion 11 terminates in downwardly and inwardly slanting surface 26 which, as will be clear from FIG. 2, joins shoulder or seat 23 at edges 24, 25. Since the cylindrical wall of passage portion 9 extends for more than 180, and since this wall closely embraces cylindrical coupling portion 2 it is clear that, when the coupling is fully supported, as seen in FIG. 1, the coupling cannot be moved laterally from passage portion 9 into central passage portion 11 but is rather retained and positioned in passage portion 9. However, the diameter of the cylindrically extending wall of passage portion 9 is sufficiently large to pass the tubing collars of the tubing string to be supported by coupling 2. The opening defined between passage portions 9 and 11 by edges 24, 25 is sufficiently wide to allow the tubing string to be shifted laterally from passage portion 9 into passage portion 11.

Portion 10 of passage 8 is identical to passage portion 9 and communicates with intermediate passage portion 11 via an opening defined by vertical edges 27, 23. At top face 12 of the hanger member, passage portion 10 terminates in downwardly and inwardly slanting surface 29, FIG. 1, which joins surface 26 at edges 27, 28 and is adapted for face-to-face contact with shoulder 14 of coupling 3 when portion 3* of the coupling is fully inserted in passage portion 10. As is the case with portion 9, the wall of passage portion 19 extends for somewhat more than 180 and closely embraces cylindrical coupling portion 3*. Thus, when coupling portion 3 is fully inserted in passage portion 10, the coupling is confined and cannot be shifted laterally from passage portion 10 into passage portion 11. The opening defined by vertical edges 27, 28, is, however, of such width as to allow the tubing string attached to coupling 3 to pass laterally from portion 10 to portion 11 of passage 8. Again,

A. passage portion 10 is of such diameter as to freely pass the collars of the tubing string attached to coupling 3.

Though interrupted by the openings defined by edges 24, 2S and 27, 28, the wall of intermediate passage portion 11 is cylindrical. The diameter of portion 11 is sutficiently large to freely pass either of couplings 2, 3. Hence, considering that hanger member 1 has been seated in head member 6 in the manner shown in FIG. 1, and that one of the couplings is seated in the head member and supports a tubing string, it will be clear that if such coupling is raised sufiiciently to clear the hanger member, the coupling and tubing string can then be shifted laterally, so that the tubing string passes through intermediate passage portion 11, and the tubing string and coupling can then be lowered freely through portion 11.

As will be clear from FIGS. 2 and 3, hanger member 1 is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed vertical slots 30 each having a downwardly and outwardly flared lower end portion. At each slot 30, the hanger member is provided with an upwardly and inwardly extending bore 31 in which is slidably disposed a cylindrical detent 32, a compression spring 33 being disposed behind the detent to urge the same outwardly. A stop pin 34 is provided to retain detent 32 in its bore. Head member 6 is provided with a pair of radially extending, diametrically opposed bosses 35 each having a through-bore 36 opening into the interior of the head member and disposed radially with respect to the head member. A por-' tion of bore 3-6 is threaded to engage exterior threads on a hold down screw 37, the arrangement being such that when the hold down screw is fully inserted, the tip portion thereof projects into the bore of head member 6, at a point above shoulder 7, the projecting portion of the hold down screw being shorter than the depth of slots 30. As will be clear from FIG. 3, the arrangement is such that, as hanger member 1 is lowered into bore 5 of the head member, the outer end face of each detent 32 will engage the projecting tip of one of the hold down screws 37, so that the detents are cammed inwardly against the biasing action of springs 33. As the head member seats against shoulder 7, the detents 32 pass the tips of hold down screws 37 and are snapped outwardly by springs 33, again coming to rest against stop pins 34 and are now engaged beneath the tips of the hold down screws to retain the hanger member in place in the head member. The flared lower end portions of slots 30 facilitate alignment of the slots with the projecting tips of hold down screws 37.

The hanger construction is completed by packing assembly 4 which comprises a lower cylindrical member 38 having a flat bottom face to engage top face 12 of hanger member 1, the member 38 being provided with a pair of parallel, spaced throughbores to accommodate couplings 2 and 3. Resting against the top of member 38 is a cylindrical packing element 39, of rubber or the like, the packing element 39 also being provided with throughbores to accommodate couplings 2 and 3. The packing assembly is completed by a cylindrical rigid upper member 40 hav ing throughbores to accommodate couplings 2 and 3 and provided with a flat bottom surface to engage the top of packing element 39. Upper member 40 has two peripherally located downwardly and outwardly slanting surfaces 41 which are diametrically opposed and adapted to be engaged by the frusto-conical tip portions of radially disposed packing-energizing screws 42 in such fashion that, as the screws 42 move inwardly, upper member 40 the packing assembly is urged downwardly to compress packing element 39 in order to accomplish a good seal be tween head member 6 and couplings 2 and 3. Parts 33, 39 and 40 of the packing assembly are held in assembled relation-ship by a pair of cap screws 43 extending downwardly through members 40 and 39 and threaded into member 38.

Hanger member 1 is provided with at least one laterallyprojecting bore 44 extending radially with respect to pas sage portion 9 and disposed to open toward groove 15 of coupling 2 when the coupling is fully inserted in the hanger member. At its inner end, bore 44 has an inwardly directed stop shoulder 45. Normally urged against shoulder by a compression spring 46 is a detent ball 47, spring 46 being held in compression between ball 47 and a threaded plug 48. The detent means just described provides a releasable connection for attaching the hanger member l to coupling 2. It will be understood that when the coupling is fully seated, the detent ball 47 extends into shallow groove but that when a sufiicient upward force is applied to the nipple, the lower side wall of the groove 15 will cam ball 47 inwardly of bore 44, against the biasing action of spring 46, so that the coupling can be withdrawn from passage portion 9.

In this embodiment, since the couplings 2 and 3 are identical, an identical releasable detent means is provided for attaching the hanger member to coupling 3. This detent means is indicated generally at 49 in FIG. 2 and need not be described in detail, its operation being precisely as just explained.

To complete a well with the hanger construction herein shown and described, it will be understood that the head member 6 is first installed on the well and that the usual blow-out preventing means (not shown) is bolted to the upper flange 5d) of the head member. The first tubing string, ordinarily the longer of the two strings and usually equipped with a packer or similar down-well equipment to secure the lower end portion of the string and accomplish the desired seal, is run into the well. One of the couplings 2, 3 is then attached to the last joint of this tubing string and hanger member 1 is then attached to the coupling by means of the releasable detent constituted by ball 4'7 and the cooperating groove 15 or 16 in the coupling. With regard to attachment of the hanger member, it will be noted that the coupling can first be attached to the last joint of the tubing string and hanger member ll then lowered over the coupling with the coupling passing through enlarged central passage portion 11 thereof, until the hanger 1 is located below the coupling. The hanger member is then shifted laterally, the tubing moving through one of the lateral openings defined by edges 24, 25 and 27, 28. The hanger member is then moved upwardly so that the lower end portion of the coupling is inserted in one of the passage portions 9, it). As the coupling seats on the hanger, the ball of the detent snaps into the cooperating grooves of the coupling.

A handling joint is then screwed into the upper end of the coupling and the tubing string is lowered until hanger member 1 seats against shoulder '7 of the head member. During such operation, the projecting tips of hold down screws 37 enter slots 30, detents 32. are cammed inwardly and, as the hanger member seats, the detents engage under the tips of the hold down screws, so that the hanger member is now locked in place in the bore of the head member.

Assuming that it is desired to hang this first tubing string in tension before hanging the second tubing string, an upward strain is now applied to the handling joint, releasing the coupling from hanger member 1 by action of the detent ball and its cooperating groove in the coupling. The tubing string is raised until the coupling clears the hanger member and is then shifted laterally and centered with respect to enlarged passage portion 11. The tubing string is now lowered, as illustrated in FIG. 6a, the coupling passing through enlarged portion 11 of the passage, and is manipulated in theusual fashion to set the packer 663 in the bottom of the well and thus secure the lower end of the tubing string. An upward strain is again applied to the tubing string and the coupling is passed back through central portion 11 of the passage in hanger member 1, the tubing string then being shifted laterally to a position within either portion 9 or it) of the hanger member and lowered until the coupling is again fully seated, as illustrated in FIG. 6a. Thus, the first tubing string has now been hung in tension.

The second, shorter, tubing string is now run in and the remaining coupling attached to the last joint thereof. A handling joint is attached to this coupling and manipulated to seat the coupling in the remaining coupling and manipulated to seat the coupling in the remaining coupling-receiving bore portion 9, 1d of hanger member 1. It will be understood that the tubing strings are ordinarily both very long and there is hence a tendency for the tubing strings to wrap around each other and thus become fouled as the second tubing string is run in. To avoid this, when the hanger construction of the present invention is employed, the first tubing string can be rotated relative to the hanger member at any time while the second tubing string is being run in.

The handling joints having been removed, packing assembly 4 is then lowered into place and the hanger construction is packed off by threading in the packingenergizing screws 42. The blowout preventer means is removed and the bonnet-master-valve-tree bolted in place on flange 50 of the head member e.

I claim:

1. For use in a multiple completion well installation including at least one downwell packer disposed between production strata, and a head member mounted at the top of the well and having an upright bore therethrough, the combination of a multiple string tubing hanger member adapted to be seated in the bore of the head member, said hanger member being provided with an upright passage to accommodate a plurality of tubing strings, said passage including a plurality of support-receiving portions spaced laterally outwardly of the center of said hanger member and interconnected by an intermediate portion of larger transverse dimension than said support-receiving portions; and a plurality of tubing string support elements each adapted to be attached at its lower end to a tubing string to be suspended therefrom, each of said support elements having a lower end portion of such size and shape as to be received in a difierent one of said support receiving portions of said passage,

said hanger member and said support elements being provided with cooperating support surfaces which extend transversely of said passage to support said support elements on said hanger member when said support elements are received in the respective ones of said support-receiving passage portions,

at least one of said support elements having a maximum transverse dimension smaller than said intermediate passage portion so as to be capable of being first passed downwardly therethrough, to enable the tubing string to which it is attached to be engaged with and held by the downwell packer against axial movement, and then moved upwardly through said intermediate passage portion, shifted laterally and placed in the appropriate one of said support-re ceiving portions, such upward movement placing the tubing string under tension, by reason of the fact that the tubing string is engaged with and held by the downwell packer, which tension is maintained when said support element is supported on said hanger member,

the one of said support-receiving passage portions in which said one support element is received communicating with said intermediate passage portion via lateral opening of a width capable of passing the tubing string to which said one support element is attached.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 and wherein said tubing string support elements are cylindrical,

said support-receiving portions of said passage each have a transverse cross section which defines a portion of a circle greater than and 7 .8 each of said support-receiving portions of said passage able the tubing string to which it is attached to be communicates with said intermediate passage porengaged with and held by the downwell packer tion via an opening of such width as to allow the against axial movement, and then moved upwardly tubing string supported by the corresponding one of through said central portion, shifted laterally and said support elements to be shifted laterally from placed in the appropriate one of said part-cylindrical such support-receivng portion into said intermediate portions, such upward movement placing the tubing passage portion. string under tension, by reason of the fact that the 3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 and wherein tubing string is engaged with and held by the downat least one of said support elements and said hanger well packer, which tension is maintained when said member are equipped with a releasable attaching 10 support element is supported on said hanger member, means comprising the one of said lateral openings associated with the a detent carried by said hanger member, part-cylindrical passage portion for said one supsaid one support element having in its lower porport element being sufiiciently wide to pass the tubtion a transverse outwardly opening groove to ing string to which said one support element is atreceive said detent, and tached. resilient means biasing said detent into the one 5. A wellhead construction in accordance with claim of said support-receiving portions in which the 4 and wh rein lower portion of said one support element i o each of said part-cylindrical portions extends for more be disposed, than 180, and said attaching means being operative to attach said the diameter of each of said lower portions is greater hanger member to said one support element for landthan the Width of the corresponding one Of Said ing of said hanger member in the bore of the head lateral p g member by a h ndlin j i t t h d to id one 6. A wellhead construction in accordance with claim support element, 5 and wherein said attaching means being effective to release under Said Central Passage Portion i5 eyhndfieah and dl directed axial Strain on Said support the wall of each of said part-cylindrical portions terelement when said hanger member is held against minaies in upright Parallel edges defining Said latem1 upward movement in the head member, whereby Openingsid one Support element can be detached f Said 7. A well head construction in accordance with claim hanger member and manipulated independently after 3 4 and wherein said hanger member has been seated in the bore of at least one of 531d s sh'lng pp elements and the he d b said hanger member are equipped with releasable 4. For use in a multiple completion well installation attaching means Comprising including at least one downwell packer disposed between a deteht Carried by Said hanger member, production strata, a well head construction comprising, the cylindrical lower Portion of said 0he pp i combination element having a transverse outwardly opening a head member to be mounted at the top of the well groove to reeeive Said detent, and

d having an upright here to Communicate h resilient means biasing said detent into the one h i i f the 11; of said part-cylindrical passage portions in which a cylindrical hanger member of such diameter as to 40 T lower Portion of Said One pp element be insertable downwardly into said bore, said head 1S h disposed, member d i hanger member having cooperating said attaching means being operative to attach said shoulder means to support said hanger member on hanger member t0 Said one pp elefnent for i head mgmber Said hanger member filli i landing of said hanger member in said bore of said b h 50 Supported, head member by manipulation of a handling joint said hanger member having a single upright passage hunched to Said one pp element,

to accommodate a plurality of tubing strings, said said attaching means being effective to release under passage including an enlarged central portion and a uPVl/Endly directed axial Strain on said one pp plurality of smaller, part-cylindrical portions spaced member When Said hanger member is held against outwardly from said central portion and each comupward movelnent in said here, whereby Said One municating with said central portion via a lateral Support element can be detached from Said hanger member and manipulated independently after said opening; a plurality of tubing string support elements each havhanger member has been seated in Send heed ing a cylindrical lower portion adapted to be attached to a tubing string and of such diameter as to be capable of being passed downwardly into one References Cited in the file of this P of said part-cylindrical passage portions, UNITED STATES PATENTS said hanger member and said support elements having 2,286,105 Quinn June 9, 1942 cooperatlng support surfaces which extend trans- 7320 780 I 0 J 1 1943 versely of said passage to support said support eleennms um ments on said hanger member When said cylindrical 2558695 UPger Jung 1951 lower portions of said support elements are received 2,771,308 Vltcha 1956 in said part-cylindrical passage portions, 2,830,665 Bums 1958 at least one of said support elements having a maxi- FOREIGN PATENTS mum diameter smaller than said central passage portion so as to be capable of being passed dOWn- 10,174 Great Britain Iuly 1914 wardly through said central passage portion, to en- 772,158 Great Britain Apr. 10, 1957 

1. FOR USE IN A MULTIPLE COMPLETION WELL INSTALLATION INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE DOWNWELL PACKER DISPOSED BETWEEN PRODUCTION STRATA, AND A HEAD MEMBER MOUNTED AT THE TOP OF THE WELL AND HAVING AN UPRIGHT BORE THERETHROUGH, THE COMBINATION OF A MULTIPLE STRING TUBING HANGER MEMBER ADAPTED TO BE SEATED IN THE BORE OF THE HEAD MEMBER, SAID HANGER MEMBER BEING PROVIDED WITH AN UPRIGHT PASSAGE TO ACCOMMODATE A PLURALITY OF TUBING STRINGS, SAID PASSAGE INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF SUPPORT-RECEIVING PORTIONS SPACED LATERALLY OUTWARDLY OF THE CENTER OF SAID HANGER MEMBER AND INTERCONNECTED BY AN INTERMEDIATE PORTION OF LARGER TRANSVERSE DIMENSION THAN SAID SUPPORT-RECEIVING PORTIONS; AND A PLURALITY OF TUBING STRING SUPPORT ELEMENTS EACH ADAPTED TO BE ATTACHED AT ITS LOWER END TO A TUBING STRING TO BE SUSPENDED THEREFROM, EACH OF SAID SUPPORT ELEMENTS HAVING A LOWER END PORTION OF SUCH SIZE AND SHAPE AS TO BE RECEIVED IN A DIFFERENT ONE OF SAID SUPPORT RECEIVING PORTIONS OF SAID PASSAGE, SAID HANGER MEMBER AND SAID SUPPORT ELEMENTS BEING PROVIDED WITH COOPERATING SUPPORT SURFACES WHICH EXTEND TRANSVERSELY OF SAID PASSAGE TO SUPPORT SAID SUPPORT ELEMENTS ON SAID HANGER MEMBER WHEN SAID 